GR86 EVO Toyota GR86 Fast Fleet test article

[sbc_uk]

Toyota GR86 Fast Fleet test – three months in the budget sports coupe

 

[Sonic]

A decent article but as regards distance travelling, maybe these journalists need to hear from some of the GR-Zoo’s Euro touring mile munchers and have those opinions put to rest? Who knows, perhaps there’s a ‘letter of the month’ award waiting in the wings?

 

[911sse]

Well, we drove 3274 miles in 16 days in September. We found the car to be beyond expectations for comfort and smoothness. Admittedly, that's due to road surface quality abroad, and Shell 100Ron V-Power fuel possibly. If I were being critical, not fast enough at the high end on the Autobahns. 140mph was doable but I wanted 160 ish. Plenty of storage room for the both of us. Two cases in the boot, loose items to the sides, soft bags in the rear.

 

[Sonic]

…on the Autobahns. 140mph was doable but I wanted 160 ish…

Since discovering my own mortality I think my going at those speeds are over. My last memorable ‘Days of Thunder’ being (1) Test riding the new Hayabusa from Cupar Motorcycles along the A91 to Auchtermuchty and seeing the clock read 172mph and (2) doing the 4am commute from Dunfermline to Faslane on my Ducati Diavel, along the A811 (garage to office) in 58 minutes. I saw 149mph on the Stirling Straights and averaged 85+mph for the remainder. Exhilarating yes, but dodgy to say the least!
Now I’m a responsible citizen of course

 

[sbc_uk]

I have been very pleasantly surprised by the 'comfort' level of beeing in the cabin day in day out over many days.
A 2500 mile 7 day Euro trip in late August followed by a similar distance from London and back to Scotland for a 9 day NC500 road trip.
Admittedly I was one up so had plenty of room for packing with the use of appropriately sized soft bags.
I found the cabin to be cosy and a nice place to be with no discomfort. Whatever the road surface. The car just fits around you with everything you need at hand.
An interesting discovery between the two trips was a switch to Michelin PS5s all round for Scotland. The comfort level is noticeably improved from tyre noise and surface imperfection absorption imo. I didn't mind it at all with the original PS4s. But the 5s are an improvement worthy of consideration when any of you GR folks need a tyre change.
My weekend toy easily copes with longer road trips too! Winner winner chicken dinner

 

[mackie]

It’s not really mentioned in reviews but the seats are genuinely excellent with a good amount of lumbar support (at least for my back), makes it a pleasure to spend a lot of time in despite a (perfectly on brand) lack of refinement in other areas.

 

[911sse]

Since discovering my own mortality I think my going at those speeds are over. My last memorable ‘Days of Thunder’ being (1) Test riding the new Hayabusa from Cupar Motorcycles along the A91 to Auchtermuchty and seeing the clock read 172mph and (2) doing the 4am commute from Dunfermline to Faslane on my Ducati Diavel, along the A811 (garage to office) in 58 minutes. I saw 149mph on the Stirling Straights and averaged 85+mph for the remainder. Exhilarating yes, but dodgy to say the least!
Now I’m a responsible citizen of course

Well on my old BMW R1150GS I just tootle along. 2 wheels for comfortable cruising only for me. 4 wheels, different story

 

[911sse]

It’s not really mentioned in reviews but the seats at genuinely excellent with a good amount of lumbar support (at least for my back), makes it a pleasure to spend a lot of time in despite a (perfectly on brand) lack of refinement in other areas.

Agree on that and should have mentioned it. The seats are very comfortable for long haul driving, although maybe not on first impressions.

 

[Renzokuken86]

I have been very pleasantly surprised by the 'comfort' level of beeing in the cabin day in day out over many days.
A 2500 mile 7 day Euro trip in late August followed by a similar distance from London and back to Scotland for a 9 day NC500 road trip.
Admittedly I was one up so had plenty of room for packing with the use of appropriately sized soft bags.
I found the cabin to be cosy and a nice place to be with no discomfort. Whatever the road surface. The car just fits around you with everything you need at hand.
An interesting discovery between the two trips was a switch to Michelin PS5s all round for Scotland. The comfort level is noticeably improved from tyre noise and surface imperfection absorption imo. I didn't mind it at all with the original PS4s. But the 5s are an improvement worthy of consideration when any of you GR folks need a tyre change.
My weekend toy easily copes with longer road trips too! Winner winner chicken dinner

View attachment 32198

Nice to know about the PS5s! My only gripe with the car is the road noise on stock PS4s doing my trips up and down between Glasgow/Southampton and had been considering Cross Climates eventually. Might go for the 5s now haha

 

[OPC100]

I absolutely love using it as a Grand Touring car. And the seat comfort and driving position is pretty much perfect for me.

I've never been one to like overly refined cars and don't get on with automatic gearboxes, so having a manual car that I can be in total control of, whilst having the ability to travel in comfort and being refined enough for my liking, I couldn't really wish for anything else. It eats up 300-500 mile trips with ease.

It just serves my requirement of being able to do this, but to then take on the ability to have some fun on a B road so well, that I really can't think of anything I'd want more for UK roads and my usage.

 

[Beans]

I absolutely love using it as a Grand Touring car. And the seat comfort and driving position is pretty much perfect for me.

I've never been one to like overly refined cars and don't get on with automatic gearboxes, so having a manual car that I can be in total control of, whilst having the ability to travel in comfort and being refined enough for my liking, I couldn't really wish for anything else. It eats up 300-500 mile trips with ease.

It just serves my requirement of being able to do this, but to then take on the ability to have some fun on a B road so well, that I really can't think of anything I'd want more for UK roads and my usage.

Well summed up, totally agree. Nothing else is 'that' close, particularly when looking at cost (incl running costs) to be able to do it all.

 

[Itcaptainslow]

My only criticism of the car when using it for longer journeys is the road noise, as it means the stereo is doing battle with it. However, I'd willingly sacrifice that for lower kerb weight and increased agility, and it's by no means a deal breaker.

 

[Road_trip]

The GR is giving me a problem with my insurance policy miles this year, may have to increase it.
Did 2240 miles on a 10 day trip to the Alps, then four days later took it to Pembrokeshire adding another 1000 miles in a week.
No concerns with doing long distances, each day was just get in and drive, no second thoughts.
Then when you reach the mountains and passes it absolutely was the car to have. Not too wide or too powerful.

It gets you there in comfort and it's fun when you get there.
It's practical enough too, would be a great as an everyday driver if I could only have 1 car.

 

[Silver Fox]

A decent article but as regards distance travelling, maybe these journalists need to hear from some of the GR-Zoo’s Euro touring mile munchers and have those opinions put to rest? Who knows, perhaps there’s a ‘letter of the month’ award waiting in the wings?

Think someone on here had one of those but they don't like to talk about it

*glances at slightly oversized but quite pleasant watch that just happens to be courtesy of EVO magazine